Closings

Severe Weather

Grand jury indicts teen on 5 first-degree murder charges

Published On: Feb 04 2013 11:21:58 PM MST

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -

Family members of a teen indicted for killing his family said justice would not be served by trying him as an adult.

A Bernalillo County grand jury indicted Nehemiah Griego on Monday on five counts of first-degree murder, and District Attorney Kari Brandenberg said she intends to prosecute the 15-year-old as an adult.

Bernalillo County Sheriff Dan Houston said Griego admitted to killing his family on Jan. 19. He is accused of killing his father, the Rev. Greg Griego, his mother, Sara, and his three younger siblings, Zehania, Jael and Angelina.

But family members said the way the Sheriff's Office took the confession was irresponsible because it was done without an adult, lawyer or family members present.

"We feel strongly that Greg and his family would have wanted Nehemiah to take responsibility for his acts as a child within the juvenile justice system," Griego's family members said in a statement. "Pursuing adult sanctions against Nehemiah is unjust and contrary to the victims’ wishes."

Griego is being held without bond at the Juvenile Detention Center.

Action 7 News reporter Anna Velasquez said that if Griego's case goes to trial a jury can consider lesser charges or second-degree murder with a firearm enhancement or manslaughter with a firearm enhancement.

The Griego family contends that Nehemiah's brain malfunctioned, and they don't know why. But they said with proper mental health treatment and ongoing support he can be rehabilitated and eventually rejoin society and their family.

Griego will be arraigned in district court but the date has not been set.

Copyright 2013 byKOAT.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Comments

The views expressed are not those of this site, this station or its affiliated companies. By posting your comments you agree to accept our terms of use.

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) said Sunday it was "very alarmed" by reports of widespread doping by track and field athletes in major competitions including the Olympic Games and world championships.

The Obama administration will unveil a major climate change plan Monday aimed at a large reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from the nation's coal-burning power plants, a senior administration official told CNN.

"Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation" opened to an estimated $56 million at the U.S. box office over the weekend. This total was the second-best "Mission: Impossible" opening ever, just missing out on the $57.8 mil...